On November 22nd, 2025, senior officials and ministers from the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) member countries confirmed a meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Scheduled for 25-27 November, for the ninth joint committee meeting and the 2025 ministerial meeting, the agenda includes reviewing the first phase (202-2025) of the development and economic cooperation (DEC) work programme. The program has supported trade-related reforms, institutional capacity building, legislative updates and the establishment of trade-facilitation systems across member countries.
Ministers are expected to approve a new implementing arrangement, extending DEC support for an additional five years (2025-2030) and effectively continuing the development assistance framework that underpins PAECER Plus.
Streamlined customs and border procedures, tariff-free access, improved export standards and compliance, support to agriculture and small procedures, and labour mobility and regional cooperation have been achieved by PACER Plus countries in the past 5 years through the support and help of DEC.
The renewal of PACER Plus support signals continued commitment from countries such as Australia and New Zealand, who are member countries and partners, to deepen integration and regional trade. DEC will continue to assist small island economies in overcoming structural barriers, creating jobs, boosting exports, and diversifying markets. Enhanced and improved cooperation and labour mobility strengthen skills and cross-border collaboration, while strengthened trade frameworks will promote stability and investor confidence, directly benefiting Commonwealth countries. Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga are among these regions.
The statement from 2025 highlights that implementation has faced challenges, including COVID-19 staffing shortages, evolving regulations and global trade tensions. The success of this programme is heavily dependent on political support, efficient coordination, capacity building, and adaptability to trade, supply chain and climate challenges.
Further on, one can identify that the renewed DEC program aims to strengthen trade resilience, enhance economic diversification, and further empower local communities across the Pacific. By supporting small-scale producers, improving regulatory frameworks, and fostering regional collaboration, PACER strives to guarantee that Pacific Island countries can fully benefit from global trade opportunities. The ongoing commitment from partners and effective implementation of DEC will be vital to create employment, build sustainable economic growth, and reinforce the region’s integration into the broader Commonwealth trade network.
